NFL Week 13 - What We Learned

Written by John Edward Betancourt

As the regular season begins to come to a close in the NFL, the stories that come out every single week have a certain strength to them.  After all, glory is now on the line for some teams and players begin to give their all to provide their team with the best chance to get to the playoffs, while on the other end of the spectrum...jobs are now on the line for both coaches and players as a dismal season comes to an end.  With that in mind, some of those stories are beginning to come to life, and here the top ones from Week 13 in the NFL.

1. A moment of hope for the Raiders, disappeared with another nightmare.  Yes, the factory of sadness that is the Oakland Raiders went and did it again.  After showing signs of life against the Chiefs in Week 12, the Raiders found themselves on the business end of a 52 point blow out against the Rams.  While their head coach is already fired, another housecleaning on the roster is likely in order, and it is possible to see GM Reggie McKenzie go away as well, and it makes sense, since they are the worst team in the league.  

2. At this point, you have to feel bad for the Jets. Speaking of dysfunctional franchises, the New York Jets are clearly about to begin rebuilding mode. Neither Geno Smith or Michael Vick are the answer. The Defense is a mess, the rest of the offense is a mess, it's going to be a long offseason for Jets fans but all the big changes coming are necessary. I'll be shocked if both GM John Idzik and Rex Ryan aren't fired after the season ends and they need to be.  Idzik for his awful choices in building the roster and Ryan because clearly he isn't the right man for the job there. Hopefully the next regime can finally get the Jets to win some games.  

3. Go Pack, Go.  The Packers played an incredible game against the powerhouse Patriots.  Sure it was a close one but that's what great teams do, hang in there until the right opportunity presents itself and it sure did in that final moment when Brady took a big time sack from the Packers defense.  This is a team getting hot at the right time and that could mean bad news for other teams in the NFC as the playoffs begin, and I say that because...

4. The NFC's Elite have been exposed as of late.  The Arizona Cardinals looked simply pedestrian against the Atlanta Falcons and of course, saw a big time loss and the Dallas Cowboys were worked like a second job by the Philadelphia Eagles at home. These teams went from being unstoppable to losing just like that and it should give them pause to correct their mistakes now because if they are exposed again, the NFC Title Game will be held at Lambeau Field and no one outside of the Packers wants to play in that kind of weather.  Hopefully these teams see these losses as a good wake up call.  

5. Is a quarterback controversy brewing in Cleveland, right before the playoffs? More inconsistent play saw Brian Hoyer take the bench last week in favor of Johnny Football, who actually had a pretty decent run at the helm during the team's loss to Buffalo. While Hoyer was named the starter for Week 14 as of press time, the threat of Manziel is now hanging over his shoulder and with the team at 7-5 and in the playoff hunt, one has to question if now is really the time to allow something like that to happen.  I get the idea of motivating Hoyer, but stirring the pot when you are THIS close to possibly being in the playoffs...could possibly lead to your team, not being in the playoffs. This will be an interesting story to keep an eye on this week.  

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